Hadith #4275

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his righteous companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the concept of showing off or seeking attention from others. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) describes the outward appearance of a person who engages in showing off as beautiful, but their inner self is diseased.

Let us delve deeper into the important words of this Hadith. The word (al-murāʾī) "المُرائي" refers to the one who shows off or seeks attention. This person's actions are driven by the desire to be seen and praised by others. The word (ẓāhiruhu) "ظاهِرُهُ" means the outward appearance or the external manifestation of this individual. It represents the image they project to the world. On the other hand, the word (bāṭinuhu) "باطِنُهُ" refers to the inner self or the hidden reality of this person. It encompasses their true intentions, sincerity, and spiritual state.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us against the dangers of showing off in several verses. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah says:

(Quran 2:11-12)

And when it is said to them, 'Do not cause corruption on the earth,' they say, 'We are but reformers.' Unquestionably, it is they who are the corrupters, but they perceive it not.

This verse highlights the hypocrisy of those who claim to be righteous and seek attention through their actions. They may appear to be doing good deeds, but their true intentions are corrupted. Their focus is not on pleasing Allah, but rather on gaining recognition and praise from others.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Ma'un, Allah says:

(Quran 107:4-6)

So woe to those who pray [but] who are heedless of their prayer - those who make show [of their deeds].

This verse emphasizes the condemnation of those who perform acts of worship solely for the purpose of showing off. Their prayers may seem outwardly perfect, but their hearts are devoid of sincerity and true devotion to Allah.

The consequences of showing off are severe, as it leads to spiritual diseases and distances one from the true essence of faith. When a person seeks validation from others, their actions lose their sincerity and become tainted by insincerity and hypocrisy. They become more concerned with the opinions of people rather than the pleasure of Allah.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns us about the inner sickness that accompanies showing off. This sickness manifests itself in various forms, such as arrogance, pride, and a lack of humility. It prevents one from attaining true spiritual growth and hinders their relationship with Allah.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the importance of purifying our intentions and seeking the pleasure of Allah alone. Our actions should be driven by a sincere desire to please Him, rather than seeking validation from others. We should strive to cultivate humility, sincerity, and selflessness in all aspects of our lives.

May Allah protect us from the disease of showing off and grant us the strength to purify our intentions. May He enable us to seek His pleasure in all that we do, both in public and in private. Ameen.